News

FACT or MYTH: Sharing on social media that I am away on vacation increases my risk for home burglary and theft.

March 2017

FACT! A burglary is a property crime occurring when a person enters or remains unlawfully in a home or building with the intent to commit a crime, usually theft. It is a crime of opportunity. Sharing with others that you will be away from your home for an extended period of time creates an ideal situation for criminals. The first goal in minimizing this risk is to minimize the opportunity.

To reduce your risk of home burglary and theft, we recommend that you take the following precautions before leaving town:

Never leave indication that you are away on a trip. Have your mail stopped or ask a trusted neighbor to collect mail and newspapers while you are away. The accumulation of delivered items is a red flag to criminals that you are away.

Ensure that all doors and windows are securely locked.

Use timers on lights, radios and TV's to create the illusion that you are home. It is important that your home appears occupied, even when it is not, to deter criminals.

Leave a car parked in your driveway.

If you have a home security system, be sure it is properly set before leaving town.

Wait to share your vacation on social media until you return home. Posting about your vacation and/or sharing photos lets others know that your home is unoccupied.